A LOUGHBOROUGH group aimed at helping friends and relatives of addicts is calling on people not to suffer in silence.

Dolores Coulson, a qualified bereavement councillor, has been running the monthly group called Hope at St Mary’s Church Hall, in Ashby Road, for the last year, helping anyone affected by someone with any type of addiction, whether it be alcohol, drugs, gambling or any other type of addiction.

The group is not there for the addicts themselves, although Dolores has links with other agencies, which can help them.

“There is this stigma around addiction and anyone affected can feel isolated, guilty, ashamed, alone and find it difficult to say no to their loved one. You can feel powerless and empty,” she told the Echo.

“Some people tend to cope with it on their own for years so usually by the time they do come to us they are desperate, everything is chaotic in their lives because of their loved ones.

“I want to tell them to never give up hope. I’ve seen people come through it, go back to work and pick up the pieces with their family again. However far your loved one is down an addiction, there’s hope and this is a good starting point. At the Hope meetings, you will be made welcome, have support from others in similar situations, have the opportunity to explore, discuss and share experiences to enable you to cope better. You can say as little or as much as you like in a private and confidential, non-judgemental, safe environment.”

Hope meets on the last Wednesday of every month from 7.30pm-9pm. The next meeting will be held on February 29.